Can’t fall asleep? Try one of these new innovations

If your days involve long hours in front of a computer, chances are that screen time is affecting how you feel at the end the day. Constant screen stimulation can wreak havoc on your eyes and mental clarity, with studies showing side effects such as sensory overload, mood swings and more importantly, lack of quality sleep.

The Sleep Foundation even cites the power of electronic light as “an altering agent”. In other words, checking Facebook or watching TV may feel like you’re “switching off”, but the light emitting from the screens stimulates your brain and tricks it into thinking it’s still day time. Yup, you’re probably well aware that the blue light coming from your iPhone, iPad, or any other electronic device isn’t sleep-friendly. But you haven’t stopped using them before bedtime, am I right?

Thankfully, Apple has made an update to its software that is designed to help you rest easier.

Night Shift uses your iOS device’s clock and geolocation to determine when the sun has set in your location, then it automatically shifts the colours in your display to the warmer end of the spectrum. In the morning, it returns the display to its regular settings – genius!

Apple decided to make this change to “amber light” after noting that “many studies have shown that exposure to bright blue light in the evening can affect your circadian rhythms and make it harder to fall asleep.”

In addition to Apple’s new update, Fitbit have recently unveiled its new Sleep Schedulefeature, a simple yet powerful tool that is also set to help improve your sleep consistency and overall health.

Fitbit launches Sleep Schedule

According to Fitbit’s sleep experts, adhering to a consistent sleep routine is one of the most important things people can do to improve their sleep. “If you’re constantly changing your sleep routine, it can have the same effect as giving yourself jetlag because you are continually changing your circadian rhythm, also known as your internal clock, which can negatively impact your health and wellness,” said Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona. That’s why they’ve devised Sleep Schedule. It enables you to personalise sleep goals, customise bedtime and wakeup targets (for consistency), and set reminders to stay on schedule.

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